WEST Wisdom Blog

Join WEST and Ipsen on Tuesday, October 5th for a panel discussion, “How to Be Inclusive when Differences are Less Visible.” Cristina Almansa, the Head of Clinical Development and Medical Scientific Affairs at Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, will moderate this conversation with panelists who have broad and deep experience advocating for themselves and others in a variety of professional contexts. Stacey Brewer, Senior Oncology Educator at Ipsen and Paula Cobb, CBO at Affinia Therapeutics will share insights on how to be inclusive of less visible differences. You can sign up to attend the panel and other upcoming WEST events here on the WEST website. 

Topics: Best Practices, Leadership, Women, Career, Community, Resilience, Success, Women in STEM, Upcoming Events, Professional, Discussion, Resources, Interactive, Change, Making a Difference, Tools, Leading Ourselves, Empathy, Focus, Insight, Values, Support, Leaders, Impact, Career Development, Empowerment, Learn, Advocate, Inclusion, Diversity, #WESTevent, Voice, #WESTorg, D&I, Gender Parity, Webinar, goals, LGBTQIA+, Disability

Join WEST on September 21, 2021 from 5 – 6:15 p.m. Eastern time for a free financial planning webinar from RBC Wealth Management Advisors Gabrielle Clemens and Lisa M. Austin. Gabrielle and Lisa will draw on their combined experience in estate planning, family law, and sustainable investing to walk attendees through the basics of planning for an unpredictable future, focusing especially on the risks of cognitive decline. They'll discuss how to approach and understand options for structuring finances to answer the question, "What if something happens?"

Topics: Women, Financial Planning, Wealth Management, Transitions, Work Life Balance, Life, Resilience, Upcoming Events, Relationships, Discussion, Resources, Solutions, Balance, Tools, Self-Awareness, Decision Making, Support, Impact, Risk, Learn, #WESTevent, #WESTorg, Investing

Managing up is not about manipulation or capitulation. Rather it’s learning to influence with respect, and broaden your horizons to speculate about the pressures and demands which may be outside of your view. It’s about influencing diplomatically yet authentically. Being intentional about challenging a plan. How can you get what you need at the same time you’re focusing on what your manager needs? How can you effectively negotiate the relationship that has the most impact on your career, and still be yourself? How can you have power   with  your manager, being cooperative and expressive?

Topics: Events, Leadership, Women, Science, Career, Community, Cambridge, Success, Network, negotiation, Women in STEM, Workshop, Networking, Upcoming Events, Professional, Relationships, Biotech, Interactive, Change, Connect, Influence, Management, Leading Ourselves, Developing Your Skills, Self-Awareness, Support, Conflict Resolution, Leaders, Impact, Career Development, Influence Without Authority, Own It, Empowerment, Learn, Advocate

Join WESTorg at Takeda on Wednesday, January 23, 2019, for the #WESTawards to honor individuals in the Boston science and technology community that embody WEST’s 2018-2019 theme, ‘Own It: Empowering Your Career & Your Life’. 

WEST is a learning community that provides women in the enterprise of science and technology with the inspiration, knowledge and connections to reach their full potential. Please join #WESTorg and our sponsors, Takeda, Johnson & Johnson and Safety Partners at Takeda’s Cambridge offices for the 2019 #WESTawards and Networking Night to honor individuals in Boston’s STEM community who embody WEST’s mission and our ‘Own It’ theme in their service of inclusivity and empowerment in STEM and STEM initiatives that benefit the community at large.

Topics: Events, Women, Science, Career, Awards, Community, Giving Back, Interview, Cambridge, Success, Network, Inspire, Women in STEM, Networking, Upcoming Events, Professional, Biotech, Rockstars, Connect, Making a Difference, Inspiration, Role Models, Volunteer, Compensation, Strengths, Support, Leaders, Impact, Own It, Sponsor, Advocate

Influencing without authority is one of the most valuable skills you can learn and there are many useful forms of influence that you could be taking greater advantage of. Six sources of influence are positional, expertise, resources, informational, direct, and relationships.

Topics: Events, Women, Tech, Science, Career, Communication, Community, Success, Women in STEM, Networking, Upcoming Events, Professional, Relationships, Biotech, Interactive, Connect, Influence, Developing Your Skills, Support, Career Development, Influence Without Authority, Own It

Come one, come all! WEST invites you to join us for our 2018 Summer Series! Every Wednesday night in June, WEST offers the opportunity to network with other like-minded individuals to build your career toolbox by implementing the skills that instill confidence in your ability to advance your own opportunity for success. Our Career Possibilities and Career Management events provide opportunities for personalized feedback including an individual assessment to self-reflect and build upon your strengths, motivations and individual interests. The series is $75 for members. Not a member yet? For $175, you can get the series and an annual WEST membership. Can’t make it to the whole series? You can register for just one or two of the events. Isn't it time to invest in yourself so that you can maximize your professional self? We hope you will join us for a month of empowerment and mentorship!

Topics: Events, Women, Tech, Science, Career, Community, Panel, Cambridge, Coaching, Women in STEM, Workshop, Networking, Upcoming Events, Discussion, Lessons Learned, Connect, Values, Support, Career Development, Career Possibilities, Speed Networking

Over our lifetimes we evolve and grow and our career needs and desires change. As your personal life brings new opportunities and joys your professional preferences change.

You may find yourself dreaming of a very different work environment from the one you have today; a new challenge where you can stretch your wings and explore new roles and leadership responsibilities.

You are probably in the science/technology field because you were good at STEM subjects at school. But you are also good at other things that may want to use and develop in your career.

Topics: Events, Women, Tech, Science, Career, Community, Panel, Cambridge, Women in STEM, Workshop, Networking, Upcoming Events, Discussion, Lessons Learned, Connect, Values, Support, Career Development, Career Possibilities, Speed Networking

Want to be proactive and understand what drives your career interests and motives and use this understanding to better guide the development of your career? Pre-register for this workshop “Career Management for Today’s Work Environment” by May 31^st and you will have the unique opportunity to take an online assessment of your personal interests, values and skills. You’ll receive the results of your assessment during the workshop and participate in an interactive session to explore how you can generate a roadmap and take action to effectively advance your career.  As always, this WEST event will provide the chance to meet and network with other women and men in the enterprise of science and technology.

Topics: Events, Women, Career, Community, Cambridge, Women in STEM, Workshop, Networking, Upcoming Events, Discussion, Connect, Values, Support, Impact, Career Development, Assessment, Roadmap

WEST is offering a book club for WEST members focusing on women's career advancement. We will have a meeting with a new book every other month. We would like participants to commit to four sessions to create a supportive community.  

We will have a facilitator for each discussion group who will have read the book, so those who do not finish the whole book should still feel comfortable attending and joining in the conversation. We understand people get busy at certain times of the year and may not get to finish every book. 

Topics: Events, Women, Career, Community, Cambridge, Success, Women in STEM, Networking, Upcoming Events, Discussion, Support, Leaders, Book Club

By Jo Viney, Co-founder and CSO, Pandion Therapeutics

Last summer, one of our local radio stations, WBUR, ran a feature entitled “How Boston Became 'The Best Place In The World' To Launch A Biotech Company” (WBUR, June 19^th 2017). The article described the evolution of our unique infrastructure – physical, cultural and sociological – that resulted in Boston being THE place where ideas are catalyzed and made into reality. But what does it really take to be an innovator? And what characteristics are essential to becoming a successful entrepreneur?

Topics: Events, STEM, Women, Boston, Team, Science, Career, Community, Entrepreneurship, Panel, Cambridge, Success, Women in STEM, Networking, Upcoming Events, Innovation, Biotech, Discussion, Lessons Learned, Inspiration, Support, Challenges, Leaders